'Kevin E. Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, said it is “perfectly understandable” that Picknelly needs details on the future rent at Union Station, and needs to consider the reuse of his bus station.
“What is not understandable is: ‘if we don’t get the casino, I’m not moving,’” Kennedy said. “If that position is meant to push the process or somehow influence the process, it’s not proper.”'
http://www.masslive.com/news/
Peter Pan Bus Lines president Peter A. Picknelly, seen at a casino presentation in downtown Springfield last year, says he would not be committed to moving his company into the renovated Union Station if his casino project were not approved.
SPRINGFIELD – Peter Pan Bus Lines President Peter A. Picknelly said Friday that while he has fully supported a $78 million restoration of Union Station for years, he is not committed to moving his bus company there if his proposed casino project with Penn National Gaming is rejected.
Picknelly’s comments echoed comments he made Tuesday to the City Council and its casino site committee, to the surprise and disappointment of some officials and residents in attendance.
Picknelly said he is not about to leave his current bus headquarters on Main Street, directly across from Union Station, unless he has some viable reuse for the bus station at the corner of Main Street and Liberty Street.
“It’s a business decision,” Picknelly said. “You can’t expect us to leave this property where we have a mortgage, and go across the street where we would pay rent. No one would do that. There has to be a re-use for this property (bus station) for us to move over.” A casino would be the ideal use for the current bus station, Picknelly said, adding that he will definitely move to Union Station if the casino is approved.
Penn National and Picknelly are proposing an $807 million casino project includes the current bus station, The Republican newspaper site and some adjacent properties.
MGM Resorts International, which has proposed a competing casino project in the South End, has stated it will lease office space at Union Station if approved for a casino.
City Councilor Melvin Edwards, who asked Picknelly about his commitment to Union Station on Tuesday, said he was disappointed by the answer.
“I was disappointed he wasn’t willing to commit to us regardless if he got the casino,” Edwards said.
In addition, Peter Pan officials have spoken of their intent to move bus operations to Union Station multiple times, city officials said.
In one letter, dated March 12, 2012, Picknelly detailed his intent to be a partner at Union Station, including his plans to lease space and locate bus berths there. The lease plans preceded Penn National’s application for a casino license.
“Please accept this letter as evidence of Peter Pan Bus Lines’ interest in occupying approximately 26,100 square feet of interior building space at the proposed Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center,” Picknelly said in the letter to Christopher Moskal, executive director of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority.
Picknelly, less than two weeks later, March 21, 2012, praised the Union Station project in a letter to Peter M. Rogoff, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.
“A restored and operational Union Station, complete with new adjoining bus terminal, would transform the historic station into the region’s key interchange for regional and local bus service, high speed, intercity and regional rail; and taxi service,” Picknelly said in the letter.
Picknelly said Friday that he and his company have been involved in the plans and design of Union Station “from day one” and “we absolutely believe it’s an integral part of the Springfield renaissance.”
The future of the bus station property on Main Street, however, also needs to be addressed, “and the city needs to work with us on that re-use,” Picknelly said.
“The last thing Springfield needs is to have this piece of property abandoned,” Picknelly said. “It’s very logical. The city can’t want it either.”
Picknelly said the bus station block is large, possibly the largest privately owned block on Main Street.
The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority has also provided letters of intent to move its buses to Union Station.
Kevin E. Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, said it is “perfectly understandable” that Picknelly needs details on the future rent at Union Station, and needs to consider the reuse of his bus station.
“What is not understandable is: ‘if we don’t get the casino, I’m not moving,’” Kennedy said. “If that position is meant to push the process or somehow influence the process, it’s not proper.”
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will grant up to three casino licenses in the state including for one casino in Western Massachusetts. The commission will also approve one slots parlor, under state law.
In addition to Penn National and MGM Resorts, casinos are planned by Mohegan Sun in Palmer off the Massachusetts Turnpike, and one is proposed by Hard Rock International for West Springfield on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition.
Any casino needs approval from local officials, voters in the that community, and the Gaming Commission.
Kennedy said he would be “very disappointed” if Peter Pan pulled out of the Union Station project, but the project would remain viable and “we would move on and deal with the situation.”
“What is not understandable is: ‘if we don’t get the casino, I’m not moving,’” Kennedy said. “If that position is meant to push the process or somehow influence the process, it’s not proper.”'
http://www.masslive.com/news/
Peter Pan Bus Lines president Peter A. Picknelly, seen at a casino presentation in downtown Springfield last year, says he would not be committed to moving his company into the renovated Union Station if his casino project were not approved.
Picknelly’s comments echoed comments he made Tuesday to the City Council and its casino site committee, to the surprise and disappointment of some officials and residents in attendance.
Picknelly said he is not about to leave his current bus headquarters on Main Street, directly across from Union Station, unless he has some viable reuse for the bus station at the corner of Main Street and Liberty Street.
“It’s a business decision,” Picknelly said. “You can’t expect us to leave this property where we have a mortgage, and go across the street where we would pay rent. No one would do that. There has to be a re-use for this property (bus station) for us to move over.” A casino would be the ideal use for the current bus station, Picknelly said, adding that he will definitely move to Union Station if the casino is approved.
Penn National and Picknelly are proposing an $807 million casino project includes the current bus station, The Republican newspaper site and some adjacent properties.
MGM Resorts International, which has proposed a competing casino project in the South End, has stated it will lease office space at Union Station if approved for a casino.
City Councilor Melvin Edwards, who asked Picknelly about his commitment to Union Station on Tuesday, said he was disappointed by the answer.
“I was disappointed he wasn’t willing to commit to us regardless if he got the casino,” Edwards said.
In addition, Peter Pan officials have spoken of their intent to move bus operations to Union Station multiple times, city officials said.
In one letter, dated March 12, 2012, Picknelly detailed his intent to be a partner at Union Station, including his plans to lease space and locate bus berths there. The lease plans preceded Penn National’s application for a casino license.
“Please accept this letter as evidence of Peter Pan Bus Lines’ interest in occupying approximately 26,100 square feet of interior building space at the proposed Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center,” Picknelly said in the letter to Christopher Moskal, executive director of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority.
Picknelly, less than two weeks later, March 21, 2012, praised the Union Station project in a letter to Peter M. Rogoff, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.
“A restored and operational Union Station, complete with new adjoining bus terminal, would transform the historic station into the region’s key interchange for regional and local bus service, high speed, intercity and regional rail; and taxi service,” Picknelly said in the letter.
Picknelly said Friday that he and his company have been involved in the plans and design of Union Station “from day one” and “we absolutely believe it’s an integral part of the Springfield renaissance.”
The future of the bus station property on Main Street, however, also needs to be addressed, “and the city needs to work with us on that re-use,” Picknelly said.
“The last thing Springfield needs is to have this piece of property abandoned,” Picknelly said. “It’s very logical. The city can’t want it either.”
Picknelly said the bus station block is large, possibly the largest privately owned block on Main Street.
The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority has also provided letters of intent to move its buses to Union Station.
Kevin E. Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, said it is “perfectly understandable” that Picknelly needs details on the future rent at Union Station, and needs to consider the reuse of his bus station.
“What is not understandable is: ‘if we don’t get the casino, I’m not moving,’” Kennedy said. “If that position is meant to push the process or somehow influence the process, it’s not proper.”
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will grant up to three casino licenses in the state including for one casino in Western Massachusetts. The commission will also approve one slots parlor, under state law.
In addition to Penn National and MGM Resorts, casinos are planned by Mohegan Sun in Palmer off the Massachusetts Turnpike, and one is proposed by Hard Rock International for West Springfield on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition.
Any casino needs approval from local officials, voters in the that community, and the Gaming Commission.
Kennedy said he would be “very disappointed” if Peter Pan pulled out of the Union Station project, but the project would remain viable and “we would move on and deal with the situation.”
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